Retinal Disorders

Retinal Disorders

A highly-trained eye surgeon, Dr. Kurli specializes in the repair of the retina, the layer of cells that lines the back of the eye.

Floaters:

“Floaters” in the eye are common, and may be an indication of a tear or detachment in the retina. However, not all floaters are a sign of retinal tear or detachment. A majority of the times, floaters appear as the vitreous (gel that fills the eye) is degenerating.

Retinal Tears / Detachment:

A sudden increase in the number of floaters could be a sign that your retina may be damaged. Repairing retinal tears is urgent, as further damage may lead to retinal detachment and blindness.

Retinal tears can be treated in the office using laser or freezing techniques. However, if it progresses to a retinal detachment, you may need retinal surgery to repair the detachment.

If you or your health care provider suspects your retina is torn or detached, Dr Kurli will work with you to repair it and help restore your vision.

Age-Related Macular degeneration:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a sight-threatening disease that usually affects people over 60 years of age and leads to loss of central vision. There are two types:

Dry AMD is a slowly progressive disease and in advanced stages can lead to central loss of vision. We recommend specific vitamins and nutrients for the eye and regular home monitoring to help prevent progression.

Wet AMD is the more advanced and fast-developing form of the disease. Patients may notice a sudden blurriness in central vision and may have blood or fluid in the retina. Patients most often need regular injections of anti-VEGF agents in the eye to help stabilize or restore vision.

Diabetes and the Eye:

Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease, occurs when blood vessels in the retina change. Sometimes these vessels swell and leak fluid or even close off completely. In other cases, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These changes more commonly occur with uncontrolled diabetes and lead to retinal damage and vision loss.

It is important for diabetics to have regular retinal exams to detect early diabetic retinopathy.
You may need retinal laser therapy or in advanced stages, retinal surgery, to control and stabilize the diabetic eye disease.